Flasher and signal system



Jan. 20, 1942. J. BELL FLASHER AND SIGNAL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet; 1

Filed Nov. 15, 1959 6a llnnentor /2 551! 9 (Ittopnegs n m 2 2 a. m 6 W 1 5 v w. u u a 5 V M Patented Jan. 20, 19fi2 FLASHER AND sramr. SYSTEM Joseph Bell, Cincinnati, Ohio Application November 15, 1939, Serial No. 304,500

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved switching means and an automatic interrupter or flasher switch and a direction and stop signal system in which the same may be employed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a switching means including a current interrupter of a simple and improved construction.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a switching means in a signal system for vehicles to control the supply of an intermittent flow of current to a flashing direction signal and the supply of a steady flow of current to a stop light signal.

It is a further object to provide a. current interrupter or flasher switch of general application in which a resistance element in series with the switch contacts functions to automatically open and close the contacts periodically when current is supplied to the switch.

' Further objects and the advantages of my present invention will appear from the following description of the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: I Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the switching means.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the stationary portion of the switching means removed to show the rear face of the movable portion of the switching means.

Fig'. 4 is front face view of the stationary portion of the switching means.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; showing the interrupter mechanism with its contacts in closed position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the interrupter mechanism with its contacts in open position.

Fig. 6a is afragmentary view of a portion of the interrupter mechanism with parts broken away.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a por-- tion of'the interrupter taken substantially on line 'l-J of Fig. 5. g a v Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of the signal system with a diagrammatic showing of the switching means.

Fig. 9 shows a portion of the wiring diagram with a different switch position than Fig. 8.

Referring first to the wiring diagram and diagrammatic showing of the switching means in Figs. 8 and 9, the reference characters A and A designate suitable direction signal, lightswhich- As will be more fully described hereinafter, the direction switch D is adapted to be manually op- 1 5 erated to complete an energizing circuit from the battery through the interrupter switch F to the signal light at one side of the vehicle to indicate by a flashing signal an intended change of direction, and the stop light switch S which may be 29% operated in the usual manner ,on application of the vehicle brakes'is adapted to complete an energizing circuit from the battery to supply a steady current to both of the signal lights when no change of direction is intended and to supply a 5. steady current to only one of said signal lights when the other light is being employed as a direction signal. I

Proceeding now 'to a description of the switching means, the switch casing l0 constitutes a housing for the movable member I! and the relatively stationary member II which is secured to the casing in any suitable manner such as by means of bayonet Joints with slots IS in the easing and pins IS on the stationary member. The movable switch member I! is preferably formed of insulating material and is provided with a suitable socket 20 to receive the pilot light bulb P and with a cover 22 which extends outwardly through an opening in the casing l0 and 42. is provided with a. central opening 24 to permit passage of light from the pilot bulb and with a suitable operating handle 26.

.On the rear face of the movable member 2 are secured the contact member 28 as by screw 30 and the contact member 32 as by screw 34. The contact member 28 is formed with spaced contact points 36 and 38 and with an inwardly extending contact arm 40 to engage the base of the pilot light bulb P, and is also provided with an inwardly extending spring contact arm 42 which is adapted to engage a centrally located contact post on the stationary member H to be hereinafter described. The contact member 32 is formed with spaced contact points 44 and 46 and 3: both such points and the contact points 36 and 88 of member 28 are arcuately spaced on the movable member I! to cooperate with contacts and contact members on the stationary member l4.

The stationary member I4 is also preferably formed of insulating material and is provided on its front face with the arcuate contact members 48 and Ill and a contact 52 between the 1 adjacent ends of sifch contact members as clearly arms which extend on opposite sides of the spring shown in Fig. 4. The contact members 48 and. 88 and may engage therewith as hereinafter described, and the opposite end of the lever 88 is 58 are connected respectively to the right andleft signal lights and are adapted to be engaged by the contact points of members 28 and 32 on the movable member II to complete certain circuits to such lights as will be set forth hereinafter. The contact 82 is forced outwardly into engagement with the contact member 82 on the movable member l2 by means such as spring 54 to engage either said contact member 82 or the contact points 44 or 48 thereon, and such contact 8! is connected to the battery B by a circuit which includes the stop light switch S as shown diagrammatically in Figs. 8 and 9.

The stationary switch member I4 is also provided with a central contact post 88 which is adapted to be engaged by the spring arm 42 of contact member 28 on the movable member I! and such post 86 is connected by strap 58 on the opposite face of member H to the post 68 to supply current to the resistance element 82 of the interrupter or flasher switch F to be described hereinafter.

The stationary switch member I4 is further provided with a contact post 84 which is connected by strap 88 to the stationary contact 88 of the interrupter or flasher switch F with the movable contact 18 of such-switch connected to the battery B, and such post 64 is adapted to be engaged by the contact points 88 and 88 to complete the direction signal circuits to either the right or left signal light as will more fully appear from the description of the operation.

The interrupter or flasher switch I is mounted as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 on the rear side oi the generally of relatively contact 68 and movable contact iii and an actuating means including the resistance ele ment 8! heretofore mentioned. The contact 8t is carried by or consists of a screw-threaded post extending through the stationary member II with a slotted end indicated at 12 in Fig. i to provide for adjustment of said contact 88 relative to the movable contact Hi which is carried by a spring member 14 riveted or otherwise secured to the L-shaped plate it. The plate 18 has one portion extending parallel to the spring member 14 to limit movement of the contact 18 relative to such plate and also limit movement of such plate in the direction of the fixed contact,

and a further portion at right angles thereto which is formed as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 with spaced knife edges 18 which engage in correspondingly spaced bearing grooves 88 in a sup-' porting bracket 82 secured to the member 14."

The securing means 84 for the bracket 82 may i also serve to secure a terminal fitting 88 which is suitably connected to the battery B to supply current through the bracket 82, plate 18 and spring member 14 to the movable contact I8, and such fitting 88 is extended to function as a stop and engage and limit the pivotal movement of pivoted as at 82 within the slotted end of a screwthreaded supporting stud 84 adjustably secured to the member II. The resistance element 82 which preferably consists of a piece of thermoresponsive wire of suitable composition to operate in the manner hereinafter described, is secured at one end to the post 88 and extends transversely to the lever 88 in engagement therewith intermediate the ends thereof and is secured at its opposite end to the post 85. A resistance coil 88 is also secured at one end to the post 88 and is in series with the element 62 fora purpose to be set forth hereinafter.

Considering first the operation of the interrupter or flasher switch F, the same has been shown in Fig. 5 with the movable contact 18 in engagement with contact 68. In such position it will be noted that the engagement of the spaced arms of the lever with the spring 88 positions the intermediate portion of the spring at a point above an imaginary line through the pivot point of the lever and the point of connection of the spring to the plate I6 so that the spring exerts a tension to force the lever 80 downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5 or in a counter-clockwise direction around pivot 82 to hold the lever in engagement with the intermediate portion of the thermo-responsive wire 82. In this position it will also be noted that an imaginary line Y between the point of connection of the spring 88 to the plate I6 and the center of the spring at the ends of the spaced arms of the lever 88 passes above the knife edges I8 forming the fulcrum of the plate 16 and the spring tension therefore also tends to rotate the plate 16 in a clockwise direction and hold the contact 18 in engagement with the contact 88.

The resistance element or thermo-responsive wire 82 is constituted of a material which becomes heated and expands when current is passed therethrough and which cools and contracts when the supply of current thereto is interrupted, and the supply of current to the wire 82 is controlled by'the contacts of the interrupter dependent upon the position of the direction switch D as will be hereinafter noted. Referring again to Fig. 5 and assuming that the direction switch D has been moved to complete a circuit which includes contacts 88 and 18 and the wire 62, such wire will become heated and expand thereby permitting the lever 88 to be moved downwardly about pivot 82 by the action of spring 88 and as the intermediate portion of the spring also moves downwardly by reason of the engagement of the spaced arms of the lever 80 therewith, the imaginary line Y will move past a dead center position to a point below the fulcrum of the plate 16 and the spring tension will then rotate the plate 18 counterclockwise and move the contact 18 quickly away from the contact 88 to the position shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6.

In the switch position shown in Fig. 6 it will be noted that the plate 18 engages the stop memhold lever 90 against the wire 62. As will be apparent, the circuit to the wire 62 has now been broken at the inter upter contacts and as the wire then cools it contracts and forces the lever 90 upwardly against the tension of the spring 88 and when the imaginary line Y moves back above dead center position the spring tension will rotate the plate 16 in a clockwise direction to again close the contacts 68 and I and thereby close the circuit to supply current to the wire 82. As long as one of the direction signal circuits is closed at the direction switch D, the operation just described will be) repeated periodically to cause an intermittent current to flow through whatever path may be controlled jointly by the contacts 88 and and th direction switch D.

Before proceeding to a description of the operation of the entire signal system, it is desired to refer to several features of the interrupter or flasher switch F which is obviously of general application and may be used with many types of signs or signals where a flashing or intermit- A and A may, however, be energized through the stop light circuit to provide a steady, stop signal 'upon closure of the stop light switch S such as on application of the vehicle brakes since the arcuate contact members 48 and 50 connected to the signal lights are engaged by the respective contact points 44 and 46 of member 32 which is engaged by contact 52 connected to the battery B by the stop light switch S.

When the direction signal switch D is operated to indicate a contemplated turn or change of direction, the signal light at one side of the vehicle will be disconnected from the stop light circuit and energized through a direction signal circuit to provide a flashing direction signal while the signal light at the other side of th vehicle will be retained in the stop light circuit to provide a steady stop signal if the stop light switch tent illumination is desired. It will first be noted that the spring 88 has, in efiect, a double function. As appears from the description of the operation of the switch F, a portion of the spring 88 operates the switch plate IS in both directions with a snap action to'provide both a quick make and break of the switch contacts 68 and 10, and the spring 88 also functions to hold the lever 90 against the thermo-responsive wire 62 and move this lever upon expansion of the wire when heated in one direction. The lever 90 is moved, as has beendescribed, in the opposite direction by the wire 62 on contraction thereof when cooling so that movement of the lever 98 in both directions 'to open and close contacts 68 and 10 periodically is dependent upon the current flow through the wire 62 which is controlled by such contacts.-

The resistance coil 98 is provided in series with the thermo-responsive wire 62 to reduce or limit the amount of current which may pass through this wire and thereby permit the use of wire of such material as would have a longer life than if the same had to operate with full'battery current or the current desired in other circuits controlled by the interrupter contacts. It will be apparent that any change in the amount of the resistance 98 will also change the rate "of expansion and contraction of the wire 62 and thereby change the rate at which the lever 90 and switch plate 16 operate to open and close the interrupter contacts. The relative lengths of the open and closed periods of the interrupter contacts may be changed or adjusted both by a vertical adjustment of the pivot post 94 for the pivot 82 or the lever 90 and an adjustment of the relatively fixed contact 68.

Proceeding now to a description of the operation of the entire signal system and referring first to Fig. 8, the direction switch D is shown therein in its neutral or off position. Although in this position the contacts of interrupter switch F are closed, the circuits which include this switch are open at the direction signal switch D since there is no engagement between post 84 and either contact point of member 28, and the thermo-responsive wire 62, pilot light P and signal lights receive no'current. The signal lights be closed. In the position of the switch D shown in Fig. 9 it will be seen, for instance, that current may flow from battery B through the contacts of interrupter switch F to contact post 84,

contact point 36, member 28, contact point 88, arcuate member 48, to the signal light A. From member'28, current is also supplied through contant arm 40 to the pilot light P, and through contact arm 42 to post 56, thermo-responsive wire 62 and resistance coil 98. As will be apparent the interrupter switch F will then function automatically in the manner heretofore described to periodically open and close and cause a periodic or flashing illumination of both the signal light A and pilot light P which will continue as long as the switch D is not returned to its neutral or off position.

Inthe position of switch D in Fig. 9, it will also be noted that the contact point 46 has been moved out of engagement wth arcuate member 48 to disconnect the signal light A from the stop light circuit but this contact point 46 is then engaged 'by contact 52 and completes the circuit 'from the stop light switch S to the other signal light A through member 32, contact point 44 and arcuate member 50 so that such light A may be energized to display a steady stop signal on application of the vehicle brakes during th time the signal light A is flashing to indicate a contemplated turn or change of direction towards that side on which light A is located.

It will, of course, be understood that after the turn has been completed the switch D should be returned to its neutral or off position, and also that a contemplated turn or change of direction towards the opposite side should be indicated by an adjustment of switch D to provide for the flashing operation of signal light A instead of A and disconnect such light A from the stop light circuit which may then be completed only to the signal light A; It is not believed necessary to trace the completed circuits in this latter switch position but merely note that current would then be supplied through the interrupter switch contacts and post 64 to arcuate member 58, and in the stop light circuit from contact 52 to arcuate member 48.

As will also be apparent, the pilot light P functions to indicate to the driver of the vehicle when the direction signal is operating properly. It, for instance, the-thermo-responsive wire 82 should break, the contacts 01' the interrupter switch F will be opened by the spring 88 and the pilot light P will not be illuminated to thereby indicate that the direction signal'is not operating as desired. The pilot light P will also function as a reminder to the driver that the direction signal switch D should be returned to its neutral or oil position after completion of the turn or change of direction.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there has been provided both an improved switching means, signal system, and automatic flasher or interrupter switch, and although only a single embodiment has been disclosed herein, various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An intermittently operatingswitch for signaling systems comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts, a pivoted contact arm for mounting said movable contact for movement toward and away from said fixed contact, an actuating member for said contact arm, said member being pivoted. adjacent one end for oscillation and connected to said contact arm adjacent the other end, and means for oscillating said member including a thermo-responsive wire engaging said member intermediate the ends thereof.

2. An intermittently operating switch for signaling systems comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts, means for mounting said movable contact for operation to opposite sides of a dead center position for opening and closing said contacts, a pivotally mounted actuating lever, a spring connected at one end to said means and at the other end to said lever, said lever engaging said spring at a point intermediate the ends thereof whereby on movement oi said lever the portion of said spring between said means'and said point be moved back and forth beyond said dead cento:- to thereby actuate said movable contact in opposite directions.

3. An intermittently operating switch for signaling systems comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts, means for mounting said movable contact i'or operation to opposite sides of a dead center position for opening and closing said contacts, an actuating lever, a spring connected at one end to said means and at the other end to said lever, said lever having a slot at one end to receive said spring with the arms of said slot engaging opposite sides of said spring at a point intermediate the ends thereof whereby on movement of said lever the portion of said spring between said means and said point of engagement may be' moved back and forth beyond said dead center to thereby actuate said movable contact in opposite directions.

4. An intermittently operating switch for signaling systems comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts, a pivoted contact arm for mounting said movable contact for movement toward and away from said fixed'contact, an actuating member for said contact arm. said of engagement may' oscillating said member including a thermo-responsive wire engaging said member intermediate the ends thereof.

5. An intermittently operating switch for signaling systems comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts, a pivoted contact arm for mounting said movable contact for movement toward and away from said fixed contact, an actuating member for said contact arm, said member being pivoted adjacent one end for oscillation and connected to said contact arm adjacent the other end, and means for oscillating said member including a thermo-responsive wire, said wire extending transversely of said member with its ends relatively fixed and adapted t engage said member between its ends and intermediate the pivot of said member and the connection between said member and said contact arm.

6. An intermittently operating switch comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts, a pivoted contact .arm for mounting said movable contact for movement toward and away from said fixed contact, an oscillating contact lever, a tension spring connected at one end to said contact arm and at the other end to said lever, said lever having a forked end to receive a part of said spring and offset an intermediate portion of said spring to different extents on oscillation of said lever, and means for so mounting said contact arm with reference to said lever that the movement 01' said intermediate portion of said spring on oscillation of said lever will actuate said contact arm in opposite directions.

'7. An intermittently operating switch comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts, a pivoted contact; arm for mounting said movable contact for movement toward and away from said fixed contact, an oscillating actuating lever for said contact arm, a tension spring connected at one end to said contact arm and at the other end to said lever, said lever being pivoted adjacent one end and having its other end engaging said spring intermediate the ends thereof to oiTset the intermediate portion of said spring whereby said spring tends to move said lever in one direction about its pivot, means for moving said lever in an opposite direction about its pivot against said spring tension, and means for so mounting said contact arm with reference to said lever that movement of the intermediate portion 01' said spring by said lever on oscillation thereof willactuate said contact arm in directions opposite to said lever to open and close said contacts.

' JOSEPH BELL. 

